The spoils were shared at Anfield on Sunday afternoon as Liverpool and a much-improved Manchester United played out a frantic 2-2 draw.
With the two historical behemoths heading into the contest in drastically differing form, the majority expected a Liverpool walkover at Anfield. However, United refused to manifest any of the incompetence which was on display against Newcastle as they produced an excellent opening 45 minutes.
They stymied the crowd early and quickly settled into the contest. The hosts had their moments with Cody Gakpo coming the closest in the opening 30 minutes, but United were a persistent threat down Liverpool’s right and twice got in behind via Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund. After Amad Diallo botched a fine Dalot cross, Hojlund was denied one-on-one by Alisson.
As a result, the two sides went into the break all-square.
United’s momentum continued into the second-half and they secured a deserved opening goal through an unlikely source. Lisandro Martinez’s finish from Bruno Fernandes’ smart reverse pass was sublime, but their lead lasted just a matter of minutes. The in-form Gakpo levelled proceedings with an equally brilliant finish after sitting down Matthijs de Ligt.
De Ligt was the defensive protagonist again as the Reds overturned their deficit from the penalty spot. The Dutchman’s raised hand from Mac Allister’s header wasn’t seen by Michael Oliver, but VAR intervened to award Liverpool a spot kick. Mohamed Salah was on hand to finish from 12 yards.
The impressive visitors refused to go away, however, and restored parity to set up a thrilling finale. After getting in behind down Liverpool’s right again, Amad, one of the standouts under Amorim thus far, cooly converted the equaliser.
The finale was utterly breathless, and either side could’ve won it at the death. Harry Maguire missed a golden opportunity with the last kick. In the end, it was just a point for Liverpool, who failed to take advantage of Arsenal’s draw at Brighton on Saturday.
*Ratings from FotMob*
|
Player |
Ratings |
|---|---|
|
GK: Alisson |
5,7/10 |
|
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold |
6.7/10 |
|
CB: Ibrahima Konate |
7.5/10 |
|
CB: Virgil van Dijk |
6.5/10 |
|
LB: Andy Robertson |
6.5/10 |
|
CM: Ryan Gravenberch |
6.9/10 |
|
CM: Alexis Mac Allister |
7.8/10 |
|
AM: Curtis Jones |
6.5/10 |
|
RW: Mohamed Salah |
7.7/10 |
|
ST: Luis Diaz |
6.4/10 |
|
LW: Cody Gakpo |
7.7/10 |
|
SUB: Darwin Nunez (60′ for Diaz) |
6.4/10 |
|
SUB: Diogo Jota (60′ for Jones) |
6.1/10 |
|
SUB: Conor Bradley (58′ for Alexander-Arnold) |
6.4/10 |
|
SUB: Harvey Elliott (86′ for Gakpo) |
6.1/10 |
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), James McConnell, Jayden Danns, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah.
*Ratings from FotMob*
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Andre Onana |
6.7/10 |
|
CB: Matthijs de Ligt |
6.2/10 |
|
CB: Harry Maguire |
7.1/10 |
|
CB: Lisandro Martinez |
8.2/10 |
|
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui |
7.2/10 |
|
CM: Manuel Ugarte |
7.1/10 |
|
CM: Kobbie Mainoo |
6.7/10 |
|
LWB: Diogo Dalot |
7.4/10 |
|
AM: Bruno Fernandes |
8.7/10 |
|
AM: Amad Diallo |
8.1/10 |
|
ST: Rasmus Hojlund |
6.4/10 |
|
SUB: Alejandro Garnacho (72′ for Mainoo) |
6.0/10 |
|
SUB: Leny Yoro (83′ for De Ligt) |
6.1/10 |
|
SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (87′ for Hojlund) |
6.3/10 |
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Toby Collyer.